A bridge in Baltimore collapsed after being struck by a container ship, causing vehicles to fall into the water and jeopardizing the operation of one of the most critical ports on the U.S. East Coast.
In light of this fatal event, the Maryland Transportation Authority issued a warning regarding Interstate 695, urging motorists to avoid the route. According to Kevin Cartwright of the Baltimore Fire Department, in a communication with CNN, this is“a multi-affect event involving multiple agencies,” estimating that as many as 20 people could be in the water.
The moment when the bridge in Baltimore collapsed
Moment when the Baltimore Bridge collapsed. Source: Guardian News
The incident took place on the Francis Scott Key Bridge during the early hours of today, anticipating severe disruptions to both shipping traffic at the busy East Coast port and to vehicular flow, as a vital connection to the main highway bypassing Baltimore was interrupted.
The vessel involved is the Singapore-flagged Dali, a 32,000-ton vessel built in 2015. According to a representative of Synergy Marine, the London-based company that manages the Dali, the ship was carrying about 4,900 containers at the time of the incident. Company representatives are on site to assess the damage.
It is important to mention that the bridge plays a fundamental role for the access of commercial ships to the Port of Baltimore, noted for its volume and value of cargo, being the largest entry point in the U.S. for vehicles and light trucks.
Currently, 21 vessels are west of the collapsed bridge, including tugboats, bulk carriers, a vehicle carrier and a small tanker. An extended bridge closure portends significant complications for travelers, especially in the run-up to the Easter weekend, on one of the busiest routes between New York and Washington, D.C.
About the Port of Baltimore
In 2023, the Port of Baltimore handled 847,158 cars and light trucks, more than any other U.S. port for the 13th consecutive year, and is a key point for handling imported gypsum, sugar and coffee, as well as exported coal.
The Dali was in transit from East Asia to the U.S. East Coast via the Panama Canal. Panama Canal The Dali was capable of carrying the equivalent of 9,700 containers, about half of what the industry’s largest ships can carry. It had arrived at Baltimore’s Seagirt Terminal on March 24 after making deliveries at the Port of New York/New Jersey and unloading some containers before attempting its return to Asia.
The collision of the Dali with the bridge in Baltimore not only reveals the immediate crisis generated by the incident, but also invites deep reflection on the fragility of infrastructure in the face of unforeseen events.
This unfortunate event highlights the importance of designing and building with a perspective that transcends daily functionality, considering resistance and durability in the face of possible catastrophes. The interplay between the robustness of buildings and the unpredictable force of both nature and human activity must continue to fuel the commitment to safety, innovation and foresight in engineering and architecture, ensuring that resilience becomes a fundamental pillar.
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Source: gcaptain.com
Photo: Guardian News